A Brief History of Challah

On my favorite cooking show “Chopped,” I was horrified to see them
repurposing our precious Shabbat delicacy – challah.

Okay, I confess. I’m a “reality TV” junkie, but hooked on those shows that actually require skill. Which is why I’m addicted to the food channel.

You see, I can’t cook. Whenever I tried making matzah balls, I had emergency services on speed dial. “I’m experimenting!” would send my family careening through the screen door like the Roadrunner. When our son was young, I baked one big cookie with his name on top. Did I know it would run together during the baking and emerge looking like a miniature European dictator?

My favorite show is “Chopped” where four “common” geniuses vie in three rounds (apps, main, and dessert), from mystery baskets that contain weird stuff I mostly never heard of (buffalo ears, Poussin, watermelon radish, earthy sunchokes – and bubble gum) in less time than it takes me to floss my teeth. More, they must mix, “transform” and “repurpose” this panoply of impossibles.

What could they do to transform challah?! And why would they?

However, a few weeks ago, one of the “secret” ingredients in the basket to be “re-purposed” was challah.

What could they do to “transform” challah?! And more, why would they?

I immediately summoned 3,500 years of Jewish history and I was determined to be defensive.

Our challah is not to be fooled with. We Jews are masters at imbuing ordinary acts with symbolism. For thousands of years challah has been our Shabbat and holiday bread, and as for meanings, challah alone needs a thesaurus.

The first appearance of the word “challah” appears in the Bible (Numbers 15:18-21) as follows:

...When you enter the land where I bring you, it shall be that when you eat of the bread of the land, you shall set aside a portion for God. Of the first of your dough you shall set aside a loaf as an offering; as the offering of the threshing-floor, so you shall set it aside. From the first of your dough you shall give to God an offering throughout your generations.

The word “cake” is a translation of the Hebrew word “challah.” The offering or portion of challah that was given to the priests (kohanim) was called the mitzvah of “hafrashat challah” – separating the challah.

(In the days of the Temple in Jerusalem, Jews were told to separate 1/24th of the doughs and give it to the kohanim every Shabbat. I’m the daughter of kohanim, but I’ve yet to receive a morsel.)

On Shabbat, the two challahs placed on our festive tables represent the double-portion of manna that fell on Friday, the heavenly bread that fed Jewish people during their 40 years in the desert.

Twelve humps recall the miracle of the 12 loaves for the 12 tribes of Israel.

Round loaves on Rosh Hashanah symbolize continuity.

Ladder shapes, before the Yom Kippur fast, represents ascending to great heights.

On Purim, small triangular loaves represent Haman’s ears.

On Shavuot, two oblongs side by side resemble the Tablets of the Law.

Next to matzah (and chicken), challah is what makes our world go round.

Challah History

The word challah (ḥallah plural: challot/ḥalloth/khallos) (Hebrew: חלה) is also called khale (eastern Yiddish, German and western Yiddish), berches (Swabian), barkis (Gothenburg), bergis (Stockholm), birkata in Judeo-Amharic, chałka (Polish), colaci (Romanian),and kitke (South Africa). Yet the origin Etymology of the word “challah” is as mysterious to me as me trying to bake one – from scratch.

The term challah comes from the Biblical commandment of “hafrashat challah,” separating the challah for the cohen or priest. The word cChallah itself may come from the root word “Chalal” which means space. The term comes from the Biblical commandment of “hafrashat challah,” or burning a bit to commemorate the destruction of the Temple.

Challah may come from “Gal” referring to a circle in Hebrew.

Others suggest “challah” may be derived from the amalgamation of: Hilu or hala, the Arabic root for “sweet.” Nah.

The name “challah” was given applied to the bread in South Germany in the Middle Ages when it was adopted by Jews for Shabbat and holidays. John Cooper (Eat and Be Satisfied) notes that the first mention was in the 15th century. The term was coined in Austria. Before, the bread was called “berches,” a name still used by Jews in some places today.

Every Friday evening, it's challah that heralds the Sabbath. Likewise on Jewish holidays.

The prayers and customs that accompany the mitzvah of making challah for the Sabbath are the same the world over, linking the present to the Book of Leviticus, when God instructed Moses to place two rows of six challot. For more than 4,000 years since, Jews have been delighting in challah for Shabbat.

On Friday night and holidays, this special, oh so delicious bread is also a reminder of the purity of the day of rest, as well as a remembrance of the deprivation of Eastern European Jews who lived on black bread during the week.

Special enough?

Wait! There’s more …

Tearing vs. Slicing: On “Chopped” I saw them slicing the challah instead of tearing! (I ran for the Slivovitz.) Oy vey. Abraham is rolling.

Schlissel challah:Whether a key of dough is baked inside or adorns the top, some still engage in this controversial practice. The key is a form of prayer to open up the gates of livelihood. Other interpretations see the key as understanding the basic necessities in life as stored for us in shamayim (heaven) behind locked gates. All we have to do is ask God to unlock the gates and fill our homes with blessings. Just as He unlocked the gates of sustenance to provide for us in those days in Israel, may He provide us with our needs now.

Salvation: A recent custom, 40 women devote their prayers while separating challah to those in need of salvation (illness, a worthy mate, the birth of a child). Separating challah is a segulah (good omen) for an easy, safe birth and some separate challah at least once in the ninth month of pregnancy.

Special enough yet?!

So, with this history in mind I watched what they did to OUR challah on “Chopped.” Oy, what they made! I don’t want to see (or understand) challah béchameled, cassoletted, chiffonaded, moled, rouladed, confited, aiolied, rouxed, coulisdied, ceviched, sabayoned into a pate, or encrouted in something. I don’t want to see white chocolate (which should be an extra Jewish sin) using ourchallah! (Never mind the recipes for Challah and Apple Stuffed Pork Loin? Mit bacon or ham? QUICK! THE SLIVOVITZ!)

While “transforming” may be a sign of genius in today’s world, let them play with goat’s feet, dragonfruit, and yes, even Halvah with fried pickles. But there are just some things you don’t futz with.

No ratings, and yes, even “geniuses” should be required to “repurpose” that which has had a purpose to We Jews for millennia.

Just as we don’t need to “transform” Judaism, even for ratings, our challah stands alone (except for maybe some raisins, and French toast) – and like Judaism, should be dosed straight, with love, and respect for this ever-lasting mitzvah!

Featured at Aish.com:

About the Author

Quirky, no-nonsense, funny, Marnie – writer, editor, author, lecturer, clinician, and administrator -- is a straight-shooter, who has a distinctive voice and takes on the world in her columns, features, and books. Her advice column was syndicated through Tribune Media Services, and it currently appears in Singular magazine as Singular Solutions. Marnie has written over 20 books/calendars, including the series “A Little Joy, A Little Oy." Her books include Yiddishe Mamas: The Truth About the Jewish Mother and A Little Joy, A Little Oy (pub. AndrewsMcMeel). She is also an award-winning “calendar queen” having written over 20. She has been nominated for both an Emmy and Writers Guild award.Thefullwiki.org has listed Marnie Macauley on their list of top Jewish_American writers, dead or living. (She’s still deciding which.) She was also chosen as a Distinguished Woman in Las Vegas in March of 2014.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 15

(10)
Shalini,
November 9, 2016 1:16 PM

ThankYou

I've been baking Challah for some years now. Never realised the significance. I did know about the pair and the friday but never knew about not slicing the loaf. And now when ive read up about your traditions, well, this is an education.We've been using this as our daily bread , once every few days. Now that I know, I will try and be more careful and appreciate the bread for all it represents. And would like to read up more about it. Thanks

(9)
Anonymous,
May 5, 2016 2:23 AM

Slicing challa

I was told that it important to slice Challa rather than break off pieces, see your LOR

(8)
Richard A. Walter,
July 16, 2012 4:34 AM

Once again, a home run!

Marnie has once again helped me to understand more of my Jewish heritage! Thank you so much, dear!

(7)
Anonymous,
July 11, 2012 10:47 AM

There are two challot on the table in remembrance of the double portion of man that we got before Shabbat..

(6)
Anonymous,
July 11, 2012 1:43 AM

Shame on "Chopped"...

Very educational for me, and a very interesting topic. It truly helps me bond deeper with my Judaism. Unfortunately, regarding "Chopped", as long as it generates profits, everything today becomes a reality show even at the expense of religion and moral values.

(5)
Reuven,
July 10, 2012 6:21 PM

What?! No Challa Kigel??

Leftover challa becomes the basis for Challa or Mehl Kigel. This is the best "repurposing" I know of! And they call themselves innovative ...

LOL. Thanks for the comment!
Shalom, with love, Marnie
(Maybe a touch of Slivovitz ...?) :)

(3)
Bea Baldridge,
July 10, 2012 4:38 PM

Re:Challah in the Torah

Marnie, nice of you to write the article on challah, but I'm bumfuzzled at why a nice Jewish girl like you wouldn't know that challah is in the Torah! Rebbitzin Rena Richman (her husband is Rabbi Chaim Richman of the Temple Institute) gave a 4-series talk on challah that is fabulous. In Bereshit 2:7 challah is first mentioned in the words "and man became a living soul" in the first letters of the words, hey, lamed, hey. Then in Bamidbar 15:20. The first thing the women were to do when entering the land was to make challah! The word there "a cake of" is challah! The bread baked for the Temple is the word lechem, just bread, but was baked in square pans. It was not challah. Many spiritual lessons to long to go into here, but amazing how important challah is to HaShem.

Anonymous,
July 11, 2012 7:27 PM

THANKS FOR THE INFO!

Much appreciated add.
Shalom with love, Marnie

(2)
Karyn,
July 9, 2012 11:58 AM

Chaa !

Did they call it Kulla ?

(1)
Rabbi Yocheved Mintz,
July 9, 2012 2:49 AM

Deleted comment

This comment has been deleted.

Anonymous,
July 10, 2012 2:44 PM

your name

Rabbi, can you contact me and give me some history of your name and location of ancestors. I have recently learned that I am Jewish and hunger for further info. The info on Challah is fascinating.

marnie, the author,
July 10, 2012 6:41 PM

Fascinating and mazel tov!

I am not a rabbi, but a therapist and writer. This cite, along with other AISH sites will give you a plethora of information! Also (shamlessly) you may want to pick up my books and calendarss, e.g.: "Yiddishe Mamas: The Truth About the Jewish Mother," "A Little Joy, A Little Oy," "The Joy of Jewish Humor 2013" (along with past calendars, as they're chock full of humor and information). You can find them, or dealers of used books on Amazon.
Welcome to the tribe!
Shalom with love, Marnie

I've been striving to get more into spirituality. But it seems that every time I make some progress, I find myself slipping right back to where I started. I'm getting discouraged and feel like a failure. Can you help?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Spiritual slumps are a natural part of spiritual growth. There is a cycle that people go through when at times they feel closer to God and at times more distant. In the words of the Kabbalists, it is "two steps forward and one step back." So although you feel you are slipping, know that this is a natural process. The main thing is to look at your overall progress (over months or years) and be able to see how far you've come!

This is actually God's ingenious way of motivating us further. The sages compare this to teaching a baby how to walk. When the parent is holding on, the baby shrieks with delight and is under the illusion that he knows how to walk. Yet suddenly, when the parent lets go, the child panics, wobbles and may even fall.

At such times when we feel spiritually "down," that is often because God is letting go, giving us the great gift of independence. In some ways, these are the times when we can actually grow the most. For if we can move ourselves just a little bit forward, we truly acquire a level of sanctity that is ours forever.

Here is a practical tool to help pull you out of the doldrums. The Sefer HaChinuch speaks about a great principle in spiritual growth: "The external awakens the internal." This means that although we may not experience immediate feelings of closeness to God, eventually, by continuing to conduct ourselves in such a manner, this physical behavior will have an impact on our spiritual selves and will help us succeed. (A similar idea is discussed by psychologists who say: "Smile and you will feel happy.")

That is the power of Torah commandments. Even if we may not feel like giving charity or praying at this particular moment, by having a "mitzvah" obligation to do so, we are in a framework to become inspired. At that point we can infuse that act of charity or prayer with all the meaning and lift it can provide. But if we'd wait until being inspired, we might be waiting a very long time.

May the Almighty bless you with the clarity to see your progress, and may you do so with joy.

In 1940, a boatload 1,600 Jewish immigrants fleeing Hitler's ovens was denied entry into the port of Haifa; the British deported them to the island of Mauritius. At the time, the British had acceded to Arab demands and restricted Jewish immigration into Palestine. The urgent plight of European Jewry generated an "illegal" immigration movement, but the British were vigilant in denying entry. Some ships, such as the Struma, sunk and their hundreds of passengers killed.

If you seize too much, you are left with nothing. If you take less, you may retain it (Rosh Hashanah 4b).

Sometimes our appetites are insatiable; more accurately, we act as though they were insatiable. The Midrash states that a person may never be satisfied. "If he has one hundred, he wants two hundred. If he gets two hundred, he wants four hundred" (Koheles Rabbah 1:34). How often have we seen people whose insatiable desire for material wealth resulted in their losing everything, much like the gambler whose constant urge to win results in total loss.

People's bodies are finite, and their actual needs are limited. The endless pursuit for more wealth than they can use is nothing more than an elusive belief that they can live forever (Psalms 49:10).

The one part of us which is indeed infinite is our neshamah (soul), which, being of Divine origin, can crave and achieve infinity and eternity, and such craving is characteristic of spiritual growth.

How strange that we tend to give the body much more than it can possibly handle, and the neshamah so much less than it needs!